Southampton librarians to strike again

Southampton's libraries will close for another two days after staff voted to strike for a second time over plans to replace workers with volunteers.

The council plans to replace seven librarians with unpaid volunteers and close both Thornhill and Millbrook libraries.

Libraries will close on Friday 13 and Monday 16 after talks between unions and Southampton City Council ended with Unison members turning down an improved deal, which would have seen discussion on the work carried out by the proposed new volunteers as well as consultation on a new staffing structure.